Alabama
Thousands advised to stay inside in Georgia, Alabama
Thousands of residents across parts of Georgia and Alabama have been urged to stay inside, as of Sunday, February 15, at 4.30 a.m. (ET). This is because a pocket of fine particle pollution (PM2.5) has reached “unhealthy” levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its AirNow map—which monitors and communicates the quality of air across the United States.
Areas Affected by PM2.5
According to the AirNow map, in Georgia, the city of Columbus and nearby communities like Buena Vista and Hamilton, and also parts of the Georgia State Route 185, are under “unhealthy” air quality warnings.
In Alabama, the towns and cities of Auburn, Pittsview, Eufaula, and Hurtsboro have also received the same warning.
Advice for Those in ‘Unhealthy’ Air Quality Areas
When the quality of air reaches “unhealthy” levels, the EPA advises everyone living in affected areas to limit their exposure to the outdoor air until conditions improve.
They should reduce the length and intensity of all outdoor activities—like walking instead of running, for example—but those in vulnerable groups, which include the elderly, children, and people with existing heart or lung conditions, should avoid outdoor activities altogether.
What Is PM2.5?
PM2.5 are tiny particles of airborne pollution that are considered, by the EPA, to be one of the most dangerous types. This is because the polluted particles are so small—2.5 micrometers, or less—they can be unknowingly inhaled, entering deep into the lungs, or even the bloodstream, worsening health conditions like asthma, or triggering symptoms ranging from chest tightness and shortness of breath, to coughing, sneezing, and eye, throat, and nose irritation.
The EPA hasn’t confirmed what could be causing elevated levels of PM2.5 across Georgia and Alabama at the time of publishing, but it can come from multiple sources. These include emissions from vehicles and power or industrial plants, dust from unpaved roads and construction sites, or smoke from wildfires or smokestacks.
How the EPA Measures Air Quality
The EPA measures air quality across America using the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI is a standardized scale, ranging from 0 to 500, that measures and categorizes the quality of air from “good” to “hazardous.”
- Good (0-50): Air quality is fine and poses little or no health risk to the public.
- Moderate (51-100): Air quality is acceptable, but there could be a moderate health risk for a small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150): Members of vulnerable groups—including children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease—may experience adverse health effects, while the general public is less likely to be affected.
- Unhealthy (151-200): Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of vulnerable groups may experience more serious effects.
- Very Unhealthy (201-300): When air quality reaches these levels, it triggers a health alert, as the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
- Hazardous (301-500): A health warning of emergency conditions is raised, as the entire population will be more than likely affected.
Alabama
Man convicted of murder for 2019 death of Alabama college student Aniah Blanchard
TUSKEGEE, Ala. — A man was convicted of murder in the 2019 death of Alabama college student Aniah Blanchard, whose disappearance drew national attention, but the jury spared him a possible death sentence Thursday.
Jurors found Ibraheem Yazeed, 36, guilty of murdering 19-year-old Blanchard. Jurors convicted Yazeed of the lesser charges of murder and felony murder instead of capital murder, an offense that would have carried a possible death sentence
Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, was last seen Oct. 23, 2019, at a gas station in Auburn. Her body was found a month later in a wooded area in neighboring Macon County. She was a student at Southern Union Community College.
The case inspired two changes to Alabama law. Under what was named Aniah’s Law, judges were given more discretion to deny bond to people accused of violent crimes. Yazeed was out on bond at the time of Blanchard’s disappearance.
Gov. Kay Ivey also signed legislation last year to allow visiting judges to handle violent criminal cases to get them to trial more quickly. The legislation was approved after the murder case languished for several years without a trial.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he was disappointed the Yazeed will not face a possible death sentence but will seek a life sentence for him
“I pledge to do everything in my power to ensure that Ibraheem Yazeed spends the rest of his life in prison. I believe that is what justice demands in this case. Aniah deserves it, as does her family,” Marshall said.
Defense attorney William Whatley told reporters that the case has been plagued with false information and misstatements “rising to almost the level of a lynch mob to get Mr. Yazeed on this capital murder charge.”
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ESPN’s Jay Bilas makes prediction for Alabama in NCAA Tournament
The Tide will enter the NCAA Tournament following an overall record of 23-9 this season.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Hofstra Pride in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon.
Alabama will enter the tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region following an overall record of 23-9 throughout the 2025-26 regular season campaign. There are some across college basketball who believe that Alabama could be a sleeping giant in the tournament, despite being listed as a four seed, one of which is ESPN analyst Jay Bilas.
Bilas also recently revealed his predictions for the Midwest Region, as the analyst picks Alabama to defeat both Hofstra and Texas Tech while advancing to the Sweet 16.
The Tide have been widely regarded as a top team in the nation for the majority of the regular season. Bilas’ prediction has Alabama’s season ending in the Sweet 16 vs. Michigan, but the Tide have proven to have the ability to defeat anyone should they continue shooting at an elite level.
Alabama will face Hofstra on Friday afternoon at 2:15 p.m. CT, as the Tide will look to make a run throughout the NCAA Tournament.
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